2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election The first round of parliamentary elections in Lithuania takes place. Voters are asked to elect the 141 members of the Seimas amidst a rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, causing fears of a low voter turnout. (DW)
2020 Northern Cypriot presidential election Voters in Northern Cyprus vote to select the president after being delayed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The election council reports that nationalist Prime Minister Ersin Tatar narrowly defeated pro-reunification incumbent Mustafa Akıncı. As neither candidate received a majority of the vote, a run-off will be held on October 18. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Tajik presidential election Voters in Tajikistan head to the polls to elect the country's President. Long-time authoritarian leader Emomali Rakhmon is highly expected to be declared the clear victor of the election. (DW)
The first round of parliamentary elections in Lithuania takes place. Voters are asked to elect the 141 members of the Seimas amidst a rapid increase of COVID-19 cases, causing fears of a low voter turnout. (DW)
Voters in Northern Cyprus vote to select the president after being delayed for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The election council reports that nationalist Prime Minister Ersin Tatar narrowly defeated pro-reunification incumbent Mustafa Akıncı. As neither candidate received a majority of the vote, a run-off will be held on October 18. (Al Jazeera)
Voters in Tajikistan head to the polls to elect the country's President. Long-time authoritarian leader Emomali Rakhmon is highly expected to be declared the clear victor of the election. (DW)
War in Afghanistan October 2020 Afghanistan attacks At least 13 people, including ten Afghan soldiers, are killed and another three injured in a roadside bombing attack in Sar-e Pol Province. (TOLOnews)
At least 13 people, including ten Afghan soldiers, are killed and another three injured in a roadside bombing attack in Sar-e Pol Province. (TOLOnews)
COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand The government announces that they have signed a deal with Pfizer and BioNTech to purchase 1.5 million vaccine doses for 750,000 people in the country. (New Zealand Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victorian premier Daniel Andrews extends its state of emergency and state of disaster across the state for the next four weeks until November 8. (7 News) COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand The government announces that they have signed a deal with Pfizer and BioNTech to purchase 1.5 million vaccine doses for 750,000 people in the country. (New Zealand Herald)
October 2020 Afghanistan attacks At least 13 people, including ten Afghan soldiers, are killed and another three injured in a roadside bombing attack in Sar-e Pol Province. (TOLOnews)
The government announces that they have signed a deal with Pfizer and BioNTech to purchase 1.5 million vaccine doses for 750,000 people in the country. (New Zealand Herald)
2020 Atlantic hurricane season Two people are reported to be dead following the aftermath of Hurricane Delta in Louisiana. (CNN) (Global News)
2020 French Open Rafael Nadal of Spain defeats Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the final of the Men's Singles 6–0, 6–2, 7–5. With the win, Nadal equalled Roger Federer's all-time record of 20 Grand Slam singles titles. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict Azerbaijan says an Armenian missile strike on its second-largest city Ganja has destroyed a residential apartment building, killing nine people and injuring dozens of others. Armenia rejects reports of the strike. Blasts are also heard in Stepanakert as clashes resume in Nagorno-Karabakh. (BBC News) (Caspian News)
2020 NBA Finals The Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals following their 106–93 victory against the Miami Heat in game 6, bringing an end to the 2020 NBA Bubble in Orlando. (NBC News)
A collision between a bus and a train kills 20 people and injures another in Thailand. (Reuters)
A gas explosion kills at least five people and injures another nine in Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, Iran. (Reuters)
A migrant boat capsizes off the coast of Tunisia, killing at least 11 people, who were all women and children, according to the Tunisian Navy. Around 20 others are still missing. (Reuters)
Azerbaijan says an Armenian missile strike on its second-largest city Ganja has destroyed a residential apartment building, killing nine people and injuring dozens of others. Armenia rejects reports of the strike. Blasts are also heard in Stepanakert as clashes resume in Nagorno-Karabakh. (BBC News) (Caspian News)
Colorado Governor Jared Polis extends the statewide mask mandate for 30 days. (KKTV-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Australia Victorian premier Daniel Andrews extends its state of emergency and state of disaster across the state for the next four weeks until November 8. (7 News)
COVID-19 pandemic in California California reports 2,209 hospitalizations, the lowest in the state since April. (Los Angeles Times) (Mercury News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado Colorado Governor Jared Polis extends the statewide mask mandate for 30 days. (KKTV-TV)
COVID-19 pandemic in Florida Florida's Department of Health reports 5,570 additional COVID-19 cases, the highest number of reported cases in a single day since August. It comes a day after Florida did not report any new cases or deaths because officials were left combing through 400,000 test results a private lab resent Friday night. (Miami Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in France Montpellier and Toulouse both announce maximum alert status for the city and their respective surrounding towns effective October 13, joining Paris, Marseille and four other cities due to soaring cases and hospitalization in France. (The Washington Post)
COVID-19 pandemic in Greece Greece reports 13 new deaths taking the nationwide total to 449, a new record since the beginning of the pandemic. (Ekathimerini)
COVID-19 pandemic in India COVID-19 pandemic in Kerala The state of Kerala passes Maharashtra to become the state with most number of new COVID-19 cases, with 11,755 new cases being reported, the highest ever for the state. (The Indian Express) India surpasses seven million COVID-19 cumulative cases, becoming the second country to reach that milestone after the United States. (AP via ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, 2020 Indonesia large-scale social restrictions It is announced that the Indonesian capital Jakarta will restart its "transitional" eased large-scale social restrictions effective tomorrow, after a pace of infections has slowed within two weeks, according to a statement from the governor Anies Baswedan. (Reuters)
COVID-19 pandemic in Iran Two high-ranking Iranian officials, Mohammad Bagher Nobakht and Ali Akbar Salehi, test positive for COVID-19. (Al Arabiya) Iran announces its highest single-day death toll from the virus, with 251 confirmed deaths in the last 24 hours, the same day that the country surpasses 500,000 COVID-19 cases. (AP via ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and his family enter quarantine after a member of his security detail who drove with his family tested positive for COVID-19. (The Hill)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kerala The state of Kerala passes Maharashtra to become the state with most number of new COVID-19 cases, with 11,755 new cases being reported, the highest ever for the state. (The Indian Express)
COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon The Interior Ministry ordered the closure of pubs, bars, nightclubs and amusement parks until further notice in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19. In addition, 169 towns and village across Lebanon were put into a local lockdown, which will begin tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. local time. (The Daily Star)
COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state) The COVID-19 infection rate in New York drops to its lowest in two weeks for the first time since September 24. However, the state continues to battle COVID-19 clusters in Hasidic Jewish communities in Orange County, Rockland County, Brooklyn, and several areas in the Queens borough. (NNY360.com) (Newsday)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia Russia registers 13,634 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative nationwide total to 1,298,718, the fourth highest in the world. This marks a new record of confirmed cases in a single day since the first cases were confirmed in January. (Times of India)
COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announces that South Korea will begin easing social distancing rules from Level 2 to Level 1 nationwide tomorrow, allowing limited audiences at sporting events and the reopening of nightly entertainment facilities, as long as they comply with anti-virus health protocols, as new cases have been edging lower in recent weeks. However, some restrictions will be kept in place in Seoul Capital Area and other high-risk facilities. (The Jakarta Post) (Yonhap News Agency)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom The United Kingdom is expected to test the BCG vaccine on frontline care workers to see if it's effective against COVID-19. (Reuters)
European migrant crisis A migrant boat capsizes off the coast of Tunisia, killing at least 11 people, who were all women and children, according to the Tunisian Navy. Around 20 others are still missing. (Reuters)
Floods kill at least two people in Cambodia and five in Vietnam. (Al Jazeera)
Greece reports 13 new deaths taking the nationwide total to 449, a new record since the beginning of the pandemic. (Ekathimerini)
Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Insurgents kill at least two Pakistani soldiers and injure three others in Manra Mendara, North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. (Dawn)
Insurgents kill at least two Pakistani soldiers and injure three others in Manra Mendara, North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. (Dawn)
Iran announces its highest single-day death toll from the virus, with 251 confirmed deaths in the last 24 hours, the same day that the country surpasses 500,000 COVID-19 cases. (AP via ABC News)
Iran–United States relations, Iranian intervention in Iraq Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, announces that they have agreed to ceasefire operations against United States interests in Iraq. (Washington Post)
It is announced that the Indonesian capital Jakarta will restart its "transitional" eased large-scale social restrictions effective tomorrow, after a pace of infections has slowed within two weeks, according to a statement from the governor Anies Baswedan. (Reuters)
Kata'ib Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia, announces that they have agreed to ceasefire operations against United States interests in Iraq. (Washington Post)
Kentucky governor Andy Beshear and his family enter quarantine after a member of his security detail who drove with his family tested positive for COVID-19. (The Hill)
List of explosions A gas explosion kills at least five people and injures another nine in Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, Iran. (Reuters)
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announces that South Korea will begin easing social distancing rules from Level 2 to Level 1 nationwide tomorrow, allowing limited audiences at sporting events and the reopening of nightly entertainment facilities, as long as they comply with anti-virus health protocols, as new cases have been edging lower in recent weeks. However, some restrictions will be kept in place in Seoul Capital Area and other high-risk facilities. (The Jakarta Post) (Yonhap News Agency)
Rafael Nadal of Spain defeats Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the final of the Men's Singles 6–0, 6–2, 7–5. With the win, Nadal equalled Roger Federer's all-time record of 20 Grand Slam singles titles. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
Russia registers 13,634 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative nationwide total to 1,298,718, the fourth highest in the world. This marks a new record of confirmed cases in a single day since the first cases were confirmed in January. (Times of India)
The Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals following their 106–93 victory against the Miami Heat in game 6, bringing an end to the 2020 NBA Bubble in Orlando. (NBC News)
The state of Kerala passes Maharashtra to become the state with most number of new COVID-19 cases, with 11,755 new cases being reported, the highest ever for the state. (The Indian Express)
The United Kingdom is expected to test the BCG vaccine on frontline care workers to see if it's effective against COVID-19. (Reuters)
Two high-ranking Iranian officials, Mohammad Bagher Nobakht and Ali Akbar Salehi, test positive for COVID-19. (Al Arabiya)
Two people are reported to be dead following the aftermath of Hurricane Delta in Louisiana. (CNN) (Global News)
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews extends its state of emergency and state of disaster across the state for the next four weeks until November 8. (7 News)
2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election Early data shows the oppositional Homeland Union victorious in the first round of the latest parliamentary election in Lithuania. The second round will be held on October 25. (DW)
2020 Tajik presidential election Long-term President Emomali Rakhmon is declared the victor of Tajikistan's latest presidential election with over 90% of the votes. (DW)
Early data shows the oppositional Homeland Union victorious in the first round of the latest parliamentary election in Lithuania. The second round will be held on October 25. (DW)
Long-term President Emomali Rakhmon is declared the victor of Tajikistan's latest presidential election with over 90% of the votes. (DW)
COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C. White House COVID-19 outbreak Dr. Sean Conley reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days. Conley also said the President was no longer a risk of spreading the virus to others. (ABC Australia) COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio Ohio reaches 5,000 COVID-19 deaths. (Cincinnati News) COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii Hawaii reports 42 cases, the lowest in the state since July 24. (Hawaii News Now) (Hawaii Tribune-Herald)
COVID-19 pandemic in French Polynesia French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch tests positive for COVID-19 after returning from France. (RNZI) (RNZI)
COVID-19 pandemic in Kuala Lumpur, COVID-19 pandemic in Selangor Following a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, the federal government announces that Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya will be put under a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). The tightened restrictions will be enforced between October 14 and October 27. (CNA)
COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan The Michigan Supreme Court announces that it has struck down emergency orders from Governor Gretchen Whitmer. (CNN)
COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania COVID-19 pandemic in French Polynesia French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch tests positive for COVID-19 after returning from France. (RNZI) (RNZI)
COVID-19 pandemic in Russia COVID-19 vaccination in Russia Russia says that it has started vaccine trials for their Gam-COVID-Vac Sputnik V vaccine in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement comes after President Vladimir Putin had a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (CNBC)
COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic To prevent the fast spread of COVID-19, which is among the highest in Europe, Health Minister Roman Prymula announces on Twitter that the Czech government has ordered bars, restaurants, and clubs closed between October 14 and November 3, and most schools must shift to distance learning. In addition, public gatherings will also be restricted to six people, alcohol consumption in public spaces is banned, and masks are required at public transport stops. (Reuters)
COVID-19 vaccination in Russia Russia says that it has started vaccine trials for their Gam-COVID-Vac Sputnik V vaccine in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement comes after President Vladimir Putin had a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (CNBC)
Following a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, the federal government announces that Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya will be put under a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). The tightened restrictions will be enforced between October 14 and October 27. (CNA)
French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch tests positive for COVID-19 after returning from France. (RNZI) (RNZI)
Russia says that it has started vaccine trials for their Gam-COVID-Vac Sputnik V vaccine in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement comes after President Vladimir Putin had a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (CNBC)
To prevent the fast spread of COVID-19, which is among the highest in Europe, Health Minister Roman Prymula announces on Twitter that the Czech government has ordered bars, restaurants, and clubs closed between October 14 and November 3, and most schools must shift to distance learning. In addition, public gatherings will also be restricted to six people, alcohol consumption in public spaces is banned, and masks are required at public transport stops. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan A highway is closed and power is shut off in parts of Helmand Province amidst brutal fighting in which 71 Taliban fighters have been killed and the deputy shadow governor of Helmand, Mawlawi Ghafoor, has been arrested. The governor's office says that Ghafoor was recently released as part of peace negotiations. (TOLO News)
A massive power failure in Mumbai, India, believed to be caused by an issue with the main power grid receiving electricity, leaves millions of people without power and brings the city's rail lines to a standstill. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray orders an investigation into the cause. (BBC News) (NDTV)
